Foxglove, digitalis
Digitalis purpurea—SCROPHULARIACEAE
Description: The foxglove is found wild in woodlands, along shady roadsides, and often is cultivated in gardens. During its first year of growth it forms clusters of leaves in a rosette pattern, but no flowers. The flowers develop on long erect stems early in summer during the second year. They are numerous showy white-lavender, or purple bell-shaped flowers which bloom for several weeks. The fruits are dry capsules with many tiny seeds.
Poisonous Parts: The leaves and seeds. These contain the digitalis glycosides, chiefly digitoxin, which is a powerful heart stimulant. Poisoning is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and dizziness and can be experienced several hours after ingesting the plant parts. The plant is severely poisonous and can cause heart failure because of its powerful action on the heart muscles.
Antidotes: Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians perform gastric lavage and treat for digitoxin and digitalis glycoside poisoning.
GREEN HELLEBORE
Green hellebore, false hellebore, Indian poke
Veratrum viride—LILIACEAE
Description: This hellebore is found in swampy places, moist meadows, or along the edges of streams. It develops in early spring quite like the skunk cabbage, but then grows during summer on a stout stalk up to 6 to 8 feet in height. Its clasping broad leaves with parallel vein markings are conspicuous. Many small greenish-white flowers form on a branching top.
The size of the plant attracts people, and children find the broad leaves and green tops a curiosity. Powdered roots and a mixture of the alkaloids are found among the contents of some insecticides.
Poisonous Parts: Poisonous principles are alkaloids which are in largest amounts in the roots. Leaves and seeds contain smaller quantities and can be harmful. Poisoning is characterized by salivation, abdominal pain, and attempts to vomit. Large quantities produce a cold and clammy skin and depressed circulation due to effects of veratrum alkaloids on the heart muscles and on respiration. Death may result.